Clan Thompson wins Nova Scotia Band Championship

STELLARTON – A Stellarton-based pipe and drum band is the Nova Scotia Grade 4 champion, following a win at the Antigonish Highland Games this past weekend.

Clare Henderson, 13, of New Glasgow won the Alexander Memorial Trophy for Grade 4 Piper of the Games at the 151st Antigonish Highland Games. Clare is a piper with Clan Thompson Pipe Band and a student of Madelyn Evans-Langlois and Scott Williams. Submitted

Clan Thompson Pipe Band placed first in the Nova Scotia Pipe Band Championship with its Quick March Medley, a blend of march tunes in two time signatures. The band also placed third in the Atlantic Canada Pipe Band Championship, with a full medley of hornpipe, two jigs, slow air, two strathspeys and two reels. Five bands competed in the Grade 4 division.

Amateur piping and drumming is classified in Grades 5 through 1, with Grade 5 as beginner and Grade 1 as the highest level before professional grade.

Clan Thompson Pipe Band was formed in 1984 and is a former North American Champion. The band now includes members ages 13 and up from Pictou County, Antigonish, Cape Breton and Halifax. Pipe major is Scott Williams of Antigonish, Pipe Sergeant is Madelyn Evans-Langlois of Stellarton. Drum Sergeant is Judy MacMullin-Smith of Antigonish. Lead drummer for the Nova Scotia competition was Donald Margeson of Halifax, formerly of New Glasgow.

The band is performing Wednesday nights through Aug. 13 at the deCoste Entertainment Centre, starting at 7 p.m., and will be performing at the Festival of the Tartans this coming weekend. Rehearsals September through June are Sunday afternoons at GR Saunders school.

New members are welcomed, including experienced pipers and drummers and those new to the instruments. Inquiries can be directed to Madelyn Evans-Langlois at (902) 755-1555. Further information is also available on our website: www.clanthompsonpipeband.ca

Clare Henderson, 13, of New Glasgow won the Alexander Memorial Trophy for Grade 4 Piper of the Games at the 151st Antigonish Highland Games. Clare is a piper with Clan Thompson Pipe Band and a student of Madelyn Evans-Langlois and Scott Williams. Submitted